Midwives celebrate their calling at Coffs

The work, education, care and dedication of midwives will be celebrated around the world on Tuesday, May 5, and Coffs Harbour is joining the party.

Coffs Harbour Health Campus and Southern Cross University will host an International Day of the Midwife morning tea in the hospital’s main courtyard.

Mums, bubs, pregnant women and anyone else with an interest in midwifery are invited to attend the community event.

The University’s Dr Elaine Jefford said the day was a time to celebrate the role of midwives and midwifery and to recognise the important work of midwives around the world.

“In the Coffs Harbour area approximately 1200 babies are born each year,” she said.

“Southern Cross University midwifery students work alongside the hospital midwives with the belief that women in pregnancy, during childbirth and early parenting are undertaking healthy processes that are profound and precious events in each woman’s life.

“These events are also seen as inherently important to Coffs Harbour society as a whole.”

Mid North Coast Local Health District Clinical Midwifery Consultant, Maternity Education, Frances Guy said she was hoping for a big crowd on the day.

“We are always building relationships within our community, and this special morning tea held on a day to highlight the work of midwives seems like the perfect way to continue to build those relationships,” Ms Guy said.

“There will be plenty of food, tea, coffee, cold drinks and even some novelty activities for a bit of fun for our guests.

“It will also be an opportunity to acknowledge our wonderful midwives at Coffs Harbour Health Campus and welcome the next generation of midwives from Southern Cross University.”

The morning’s activities, which start at 10am and end at noon, will include the presentation of two awards – to the Coffs Harbour Health Campus’ Midwife of the Year and to Southern Cross University’s Student Midwife of the Year.

A raffle will also be held to help raise funds to send one of the hospital’s midwives and one of the university’s student midwives to the biennial Australian College of Midwives Conference in Queensland in October.

The conference provides a forum for nursing and midwifery clinicians, researchers and educators to share experiences and achievements in nursing and midwifery.

“Being a midwife is so much more than delivering babies,” Ms Guy said. “It’s a calling.”